Colloquium

The Stellar Initial Mass Functions

Speaker:Dennis Zaritsky, University of Arizona

Date:March 12, 2014

Time:4:15 pm

Location:Pupin 329

Host:David S.

Walter Baade, late in his career, was asked if he would choose a career in astrophysics if he had to do it all over again. He replied yes, but only if he could be assured that the ratio of total to selective dust extinction was universally 3. Many of us might add that we would want to be assured that the stellar initial mass function is also universal. Unfortunately, evidence is mounting that it is not. Of course, one person's misfortune is often another's gain - so perhaps variations in the IMF will provide insight into a better understanding of star and galaxy formation. I will discuss existing and new evidence for variations in the lower mass end of the IMF.